Cervical cancer linked to deprivation

New research shows that cervical cancer is more common in deprived areas of England.

Scientists at the Thames Cancer Registry at King's College London analysed data on 2,231 cases of cervical cancer which were diagnosed in London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex between 2001 and 2005.

They found that London had the highest rates of cervical cancer, with the disease occurring more often in areas with high levels of deprivation, smoking and teenage pregnancies.

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In some locations, the disease was found to be three times more common than in neighbouring areas.

The findings are published in the journal BMC Public Health and lead researcher Dr Laura Currin said: 'Knowledge of local hot spots, along with an awareness that some groups of patients are more likely to develop this disease, may help health professionals improve prevention efforts.'

Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the UK and the disease is the second most common form of cancer in women under the age of 35.

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